Public Transport Initiatives

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2015

Wednesday, 23 September 2015

Questions (30)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

30. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected capacity and frequency for the proposed Luas link to Swords, County Dublin via Dublin Airport; if such capacity and frequency levels are appropriate for a region where the population is expected to increase by 400,000 and given that Dublin Airport intends to dramatically expand passenger numbers; his views on concerns that the route, as presently envisaged, does not interchange with the Connolly-Blanchardstown rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31957/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Decisions in relation to public transport infrastructure to serve the Swords/North Dublin corridor will be announced shortly in the context of the Government's new Capital Plan.  This will include a major programme of transport investment for the coming years.  In particular, the Plan will set out a comprehensive response to the public transport needs of the Greater Dublin Area, based on the updated analysis carried out by the National Transport Authority over the past year or so, including the North Dublin Transport Study.

It is imperative that we invest in our transport system to ensure that we can meet growing demand and tackle congestion to support economic growth. It is also important that in planning our investment strategy, we plan appropriately so that areas which will see major development and population growth in the future such as Fingal will be properly served by public transport.  I am confident that the new capital plan will provide the investment required to meet these objectives.